Fortunately, today we have the information as well as the testimonies of many athletes to substantiate the benefits of plant-based diets. Dave Scott, considered to be the world's greatest triathlete, holds a degree in exercise physiology. In his own words, it's a "ridiculous fallacy" to think that athletes need animal protein. He is joined in his views by such Olympians as Edwin Moses, the gold medalist who went eight years without losing the 400-meter hurdle competition, and Murray Rose who, at age 17, won three gold medals in the Olympic swim competition.
This year, I was glad to see Olympic champion Carl Lewis crown his career with his best long jump in two years to win a record-tying ninth gold medal. Lewis, of course, is a longtime vegetarian [vegan] whose dietary changes developed out of his moral and religious convictions. Several years ago Leroy Burrell and Carl Lewis traded titles back and forth when they were being hailed as the fastest sprinters in the world - both were vegetarians.
Whether you are a world class athlete, a weekend athlete, or simply a recreational exerciser, we now know that you can meet your performance objectives, and improve your health by eating a plant-based diet that meets your energy needs. Even at my present age, 93, I found that switching to a plant-based diet improved my health dramatically.
Dr. Benjamin Spock, New Century Nutrition, Sept. 1996
Photo shows Dave Scott, six-time Ironman Triathlon winner
See related article, Pro Athletes are Turning Vegetarian